Forever Mine

I'm there when you’re asleep. I'm there when you’re awake. I'm forever waiting. Forever watching. Until one day when you’re vulnerable. That’s when I make my move. There is no beating me. Once I have my eyes on you, you belong to me.

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Maria’s chin quivered. She turned her back on Michael. She knew what he was about to say and she didn’t want to hear it. Michael clasped her shoulder and turned her around. His touch was gentle. All she wanted was Michael to hold her and tell her he’d never leave her. Maria looked up into his eyes. Her eyes filled with tears and before she could stop herself she began sobbing.

“Maria you know I love you, please don’t cry. It’s just not going to work out.”

Maria remembered something her mother told her when she was a little girl. ‘We are a family of strong women. We’re all fighters! Nothing can get in our way. Maria my darling, remember that.’ Maria didn’t feel like a fighter. She loved Michael with all of her heart and here he was tearing it out.

“Michael, it would work. We just have to make it…”

The look on Michael's face turned from one covered in remorse to one deformed with anger. He cut Maria short and began shouting. “No, listen to me! It’s not going to work. You don’t understand me. You’re too wrapped up in your family. What they think is all you care about.”

“That’s not true! I care about you too. I love you. If you really loved me you wouldn't be doing this. If you really loved me you’d try and make it work.” Maria had won the fight against her tears but her voice was shrill. She stepped toward Michael, but he backed away.

Tears welled up in Maria’s eyes as Michael walked out the door. He called out one last thing before leaving. “I’m going. It’s over and you’re going to have to get used to living without me. I’m sorry.”

*          *          *

Maria sat on her couch. Fresh tears covered her face. She looked around her tiny lounge room and was disgusted with what she saw. Her house looked so empty and cold. Everything in it was brand new. This room and every other one lacked feeling. She had no memories in the place except of lonely and depressing nights. What a start she had made to her new life. Maria wiped away her tears. Three months and she still wasn’t over Michael. Three months and she hadn’t even contacted her mother. None of her friends knew where she lived. Maria felt completely alone. She feared getting old and dying alone. It was time for a change. Maria stood and walked toward the phone. She said to herself, “What the hell was I thinking? Why did I isolate myself from the only people in the world that love me, when I need them the most.”

Before she reached the phone there was a knock at the door. Maria stopped. “Who the hell could that be, no one knows where I live.” She muttered. A sudden surge of fear raced through Maria's vein. Her mind raced with possibilities. From axe murderers to the one person she couldn't get out of her mind.

Maria looked through the peephole. Standing on the other side of the door was a man. Maria put her hand on the door handle. Her heart pounded with excitement. Michael had found her. He wanted her back. Maria ripped open the door so suddenly she made the man jump. Her excitement crumbled when she saw him. Maria's heart broke all over again. How could she be so stupid?

The man spoke, “Hello, my name is Evan. My car has a flat. I was wondering if I could use your phone?” As Evan spoke he stared into Maria’s eyes. His eyes mesmerized her. They were large pools of the deepest blue she had ever seen.

“Uh, sure. The phone is to your left.” Evan stepped past Maria and thanked her. Maria watched him intently. She took in every detail. He looked like he had just gotten out of bed. His dark hair was ruffled. His casual clothes looked like they had never been ironed. Maria admired his skin. She had been told she had lovely smooth olive skin all her life but Evan’s was smoother and slightly darker. He had a touch of an accent but Maria couldn’t work out what it was. There was also something about him. Again she couldn't put her finger on it, but it was something strange.

Evan hung up the phone and strolled toward the door. His steps were as graceful as a gazelles.
“My friends are coming to get me. Thank you for letting a stranger use your phone. Sorry for having put you out like that. Goodnight…” Evan stopped and looked into Maria’s eyes. Pinpoints of electricity ran up her spine. Maria wasn't sure if they were a symptom of foreboding doom or excitement.

“Hold on a second, what is your name? I can't thank you properly for your kindness without ever knowing your name.”

Evan stared at Maria. The look in his eyes sent shivers down her spine. He looked as if his life depended on her telling him her name. Maria stammered her name and turned crimson.

“Well, Maria thank you.” Evan grabbed Maria’s hand and kissed it. “Time for me to go.” Evan turned, walked out the door then shut it behind him. Maria watched him through the peephole. Just before he walked out of her small yard she opened the door. She wanted to call his name but something stopped her. Evan reached the footpath. Maria felt a nauseating rush of loneliness as Evan began to cross the road.

“Evan, wait!” Evan stopped and turned his head. “Why don’t you come wait inside? It’s far too cold to wait out here.”

“Are you sure you want me to come inside?”

“Of course I’m sure." Maria pivoted, "Come on, I’ll make you a drink. Is coffee ok?”

Maria walked inside, Evan followed.

“Maria that would be lovely.” Evan smirked. His eyes flashed dark blue as he re-entered the house. “I’d love to have a coffee with such an attractive young lady."

Maria felt herself blush as she closed the door behind them.

*          *          *

Maria sat next to Evan on the couch. Evan sipped his coffee and smiled.

“Every time you make me a drink it seems to taste better. Or maybe it’s your company that’s making these coffees taste so sweet. How could that Michael person leave a girl like you? If I were him, I’d keep you forever.”

Maria grinned. She wished she could be with someone who loved her forever. It was nice to have company. They were on their third coffees. Evan's friends still hadn’t turned up but Maria didn’t care. She finally didn’t feel total loneliness. She still felt the ache of a broken heart, but every second with Evan took away a little of her pain.

“Maria, sorry if I’m being bold but would it be alright if I kissed you?”

Maria didn’t know what to say. She stared into his eyes. They glistened different shades of blue in the light, Maria felt as if they were entrancing her. She heard herself say yes, but her mind was saying no. It was too soon. She wasn't ready for any sort of relationship other than a friendship. Evan moved closer. His lips touched hers. Maria couldn't stop herself. She felt as if someone else was moving for her. Maria couldn't stop staring into his eyes. He stared back, unblinking. The whites of his eyes began shifting colour. They shifted to pale blue then darkened until they became the same colour as his pupils. Evan blinked. Maria's eyes widened. The spell was broken.

Maria tried to end the kiss again but Evans hands clasped her head. She tried to break free but he was too strong. Maria felt herself becoming weaker. Evans eyes changed again. This time, both eyes shifted totally to black. Maria struggled to keep her eyes open. The room began to blur. Evan let her go and laid her down on the couch. His eyes shifted back to deep pools of blue again. Evan looked into Maria’s eyes and grinned.

Maria closed her eyes. She could feel her life slipping away. She laughed softly to herself. Her mother was wrong. She couldn’t be from a family of strong women. She lay there on the couch weak, about to die. Evan took her hand in his own. Just before Maria took her last breath Evan said, "You're mine forever now."

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